Hired but big decision to make...

[sigpilot]

So after a string of bad days at Colgan I got mad and applied to Republic. To my surprise I was called three days later for an interview which I wasn't expecting. I've been trying to decide for about 9 months now whether or not to leave Colgan for a better regional or stick it out and upgrade. I can't list the pro's and con's of leaving or staying because, well, its a long list. Seggy was doing TDY at my base last week and we grabbed a bite to eat and he made great points about staying til upgrade and I even planned on not attending the interview, but they already scheduled me going out there, so I went (cause my family and girlfriend would've killed me if I didn't cause they are the ones I complain to about Colgan!)

I wasn't nervous about the interview at all, mainly cause I already have a job that isn't as bad as it used to be, but they really did a great job at selling the company and it was a very pleasant experience thanks to great people. It went so well that they told me I got the job and will call me with a class date. So now I must decide what to do and I'm not really asking for advice cause in the end I will do whats right for me. Its a tough decision, but its nice to have decisions to make. Seggy is going to be mad at me when he reads this and I feel bad (Sorry bud, dont beat me up ). I can careless about whether I fly a prop or a jet, its all turbine, but it is about QOL and that is the main factor that drives my decision. I appreciate anyone who reads though all my rambling, I'll let you know what I end up doing.

[pilot4500]

Best of luck with your decision. There are pros and cons with both airlines, but in the end you just have to do what you think is best for you.

[Seggy]

Chris, no way I would be mad if you left Colgan for Republic. I DEFINITELY see your point and the situation you are in.

It is a tough call, you know the points I have made, I think the biggest one will be the age 65 rule and how that will be implemented. If you stay you will be Captain in a year, but if you leave, your QOL will be better at this time.

Its up to you man! If you need to talk it over with me some more, let me know!


PS-I thought our airline is 'simply the best'. Wouldn't we have 'simply the best' days out there? I am confused

[Kingairer]

I might be able to give you some information to help. Let me know if i can.
RAH CAPT

[beechpilot]

Congrats on the new job offer!!! I've already learned QOL is very important in choosing who to work for.

[Bigey]

Originally Posted by Kingairer

I might be able to give you some information to help. Let me know if i can.
RAH CAPT

Can you transfer companies? I thought you were at CHQ? So what are you on now? The 170?

[n57flyguy]

Originally Posted by Bigey

Can you transfer companies? I thought you were at CHQ? So what are you on now? The 170?

Once you are CA at CHQ you can go to CA at Republic or Shuttle America on the 170/175 (told to me by another CHQ CA), and possibly vise versa. RAH can still mean CHQ to, it is one senority list.

[sigpilot]

Originally Posted by Seggy

Chris, no way I would be mad if you left Colgan for Republic. I DEFINITELY see your point and the situation you are in.

Yea but you made lots of good points and you took the time to talk to me about it so I will still feel a little bad if I leave. Oh what to do, what to do....

[Seggy]

Originally Posted by sigpilot

Yea but you made lots of good points and you took the time to talk to me about it so I will still feel a little bad if I leave. Oh what to do, what to do....

Awww thanks for saying I gave some good points.

Honestly though, I would stay till after the vote is done in no more than six weeks, THEN make your choice.

In the end if you are on the fence about leaving, like I was, it is best to stay in my mind. You got a pretty sweat gig lined up in HYA for the summer. Then once that is done, I would look to get a base close to New York City. If you were to start training today, by the time you finished everything at RAH, you would be 6-8 months away from upgrading here.

[Seggy]

One more thing.

Who the FREAK knows what is the best choice, say you go to RAH and get based in Denver? It is up to you to decide what you want Chris. Just don't look back from the choice you do make.

[sigpilot]

Well I got the call and they offered the 145 at CHQ on the 25th. Still deciding, but its nice to have choices.

[Kingairer]

That narrows it down a bit. If i was a northeaster I would prefer the 170 but i guess thats not what they have in mind. Althought i bet if it came down to it and it was 170 or bust, you could give them that options and I would think they would put you in the next class for that. Off the top of my head, Of course its possible LGA, but more likely BUF for your best NE bet.

[dingo222]

Sig,

Here's my .02 worth. I'd stick around a few more months and see what happens with upgrade and the union. I see the union making life better for all of us with better work rules even in the near term. Even though you still don't meet the upgrade mins, I think you stand a good chance to upgrade soon. I'm going Aug 4th and my initial class was 12-05. The next class behind me was in like 04-06 and mikey said they would be next. We are losing pilots from the top end and FO's from the bottom. Even though it seems as if there is no movement for us in the middle, it's coming. I had a guy in my initial class (12-05) that left and went to air whiskey after his one yr at colgan. He went straight to training in jan 07, and he will finally be able to hold a line in Sept of this year. Had he stuck it out, he would have made captain here sooner than he could get off of reserve at AWAC. He had personal reasons for leaving so I understand, but it's just a thought.

Another thing to consider is this age 65 rule. IF the FAA passes it in the next year, upward movement will slow considerably at all regionals. Republic is a great place to be, and a place where a lot of captains can wait it out if age 65 comes into place. Do you want to be sitting as an FO when that happens or as a captain?

I don't blame anyone for leaving colgan. THis is a tough gig. I know how disheartening it can be after getting a colganoscopy all month only to see your senority number move 4 spots. Do what's best for you; follow your heart and look where you can be in 5 yrs, not just tomorrow. Good luck, J

[sigpilot]

I really wanted to get a Republic class just cause the bases are much easier commutes. I'm gonna take a chance and call them and ask to wait for the next one (a week later) and see what happens. If they get mad and don't offer one at all I still got this job. Plus it'll keep me around a little bit longer so I can cast my vote. More to come...

[TVB]

How long have you been at Colgan?

[sigpilot]

I took a chance to ask for a republic class and got one even though its a few weeks later so I think I'm going to take the job. By the time I leave I will have been with colgan over 11mo. This is a best case scenario and I'm very excited!

[Bigey]

Wow, sounds like it worked out great for you!

Congrats on the new gig! Enjoy the 170 flying!

[surreal1221]

To each his own right?

Have to love what you do, and respect what you do. Looks like you made the right decision for your circumstances and certainly any respectable individual wouldn't hold that against you.

Best of luck at RAH.

[cfii2007]

Tough choice.........

[Airdale]

Hey sig, congrats man!

A LOT of people are focused on the end goal, getting the TPIC and getting to a Major as quickly as possible. I had that mentality too, but I've changed my outlook. Its all about today. I live for today and tomorrow, to enjoy the time I spend with my wife and family and enjoy what I do for a living while making progress towards the "end goal" of flying for a Major.

Commutting is a LOT harder on a relationship then I thought it would be. Having a 5 on 2 off at Colgan while having a long commute is absolute misery. I love flying, I love the job, but I miss spending days and nights at home with my wife. To top it off, break down the time you spend away for what you get paid and you'll almost make yourself sick.

I've decided that if I don't end up based in EWR on the Q, then I'm going to leave for a place that has bases that are easier to commute or based close to home. Yeah you shouldn't chose an airline based on their bases - blablabla. Thats what single guys with no attachments at home say.

When you're married and you really care about your wife and the relationship you have - you choose her over "rushing" to get to a major. I'll sacrifice the pay for a bit for more time with her. Money is just money. I make due.

Goodluck with your decision, goodluck with training and I wish you the best man!

[taseal]

deep inside u, i feel that u want it... i say you made the right choice going for it. Congrats!!!

[sigpilot]

I appreciate all the well wishes. I am excited, but still confused and I will be until the last possible second before I would need to give my two weeks. Doesn't help that a LGA base rumor is going around now at CJC. Decisions Decisions...

[Airdale]

Originally Posted by sigpilot

I appreciate all the well wishes. I am excited, but still confused and I will be until the last possible second before I would need to give my two weeks. Doesn't help that a LGA base rumor is going around now at CJC. Decisions Decisions...

I heard about that too, but I was also told that there was an LGA base awhile back and the company never stuck with it. You never know whats going to happen here. I not only compare the current situation, but also 1-2 years from now as well.

Compare Colgan's pay scale to other Regionals. I'd be looking at 2-3 years upgrade on the Q while making $26/hr next year on a 76 seat aircraft. Why? When I could go to Express and make $34/hr my second year and upgrade in the same time frame. Guys say the union will change things, but honestly pay changes aren't going to happen very quickly.

Go to Republic, you might actually make some money flying airplanes.

[Seggy]

Airdale, by the time you get to second year pay at XJET you will have the chance to upgrade here at Colgan.

[Airdale]

Originally Posted by Seggy

Airdale, by the time you get to second year pay at XJET you will have the chance to upgrade here at Colgan.

Depends on what upgrade times look like on the Q. And FYI, I received an e-mail from company asking for recruiting help hiring for the Q400. I guess they are going to start hiring for the Q soon. great.